‘I was willing to risk it all, or die’: Onboard a rescue vessel in the Mediterranean Sea 

Thousands die each year crossing the most dangerous migration route to Europe. Yet many of those rescued from the waves say they would do it all again, writes Stefanie Glinsk

The Mediterranean Sea remains the world’s most perilous migration route. Yet, despite this, the numbers opting to cross are rising again. File picture: AP Photo/Ahmed Hatem

After hours searching the grey waters of the Mediterranean, a small dot appeared on the horizon: an unseaworthy wooden boat that had left the Libyan coast the day before. It had tried — but failed — to make it to Europe. Most of the 21 adults and children onboard had left behind war and torture, and said they would rather die on this crossing than return.

All of them were pulled safely onboard the search and rescue vessel, Life Support. Its crew, from the Italian NGO Emergency, had been alerted by Alarm Phone, an organisation running a hotline for people in distress at sea.